People who know me, know that I love sport and I love to run. I have completed several marathons however Comrades is a challenge on another level and has been on my bucket list since I heard about it when I visited South Africa in 2005.

Comrades was founded in 1921 by a first world war veteran in order to commemorate the sacrifices of his comrades as they marched across Africa in pursuit of German and local guerrilla forces.

The result is a 56 mile race from Durban to Pietermaritzburg. It's described as "hilly". To put that in perspective, the total ascent and descent is greater than the height of Ben Nevis. 

So this is the challenge I have set myself. Training has involved a lot of time, commitment and sleep sacrifice, covering up to 100 plus miles a week, over the British winter. I am running it for my mother who has recently been diagnosed with Multiple sclerosis.

MS is a neurological condition which affects 100,000 people in the UK. MS can strike anyone at any age, without warning or reason. It does not discriminate between male or female, fit or unfit and is no respecter of general health or life circumstances.

The symptoms of MS differ for each individual. My mother's was discovered through a painful back problem that wouldn't respond to any treatment. Then suddenly and inexplicably she lost the use of her legs whilst on holiday and 12 months on she is still unable to walk unaided. As her symptoms progress steadily, some time in the future she will be restricted to a wheelchair.

So the irony is that as my strength grows, my mother's fades.

Thankyou for visiting for my page. Any sponsorship is gratefully received and all monies raised goes direct to the MS society as they search to find a cure for this degenerative condition, to help ensure that anyone in the future contracting MS has a chance of recovery and a chance of living a normal, fulfilled life.

Thanks for your support

Tamsin